Apr 08, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. In the first two months of 2010, exports of furniture and parts from Guangdong Province, China, surpassed the pre-crisis level. Furniture and parts exports amounted to $1.81 billion, up 37% on the two months of 2009 and up 17% from the same period of 2008, ITTO reported. The latest statistics from Guangzhou Customs show that Guangdong’s furniture and parts exports bottomed out in February 2009, when exports were only $430 million. Furniture and parts exports in February 2010 alone were as high as $790 million, up 84% on the same period of 2009. The main markets for furniture and parts from Guangdong are, currently, the USA and Europe which together account for 55% of total export. Guangdong furniture exports to the ASEAN market in the first two months of 2010 amounted to $250 million, up a dramatic 230%. Analysts point out that the stronger furniture and parts exports have stemmed from overseas distributors replenishing stocks. The China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement has resulted in growth of exports to ASEAN countries. Some furniture manufacturers said that the growth in exports was also related to the restructuring undertaken by industry in the province and because greater attention was now given to updating designs. However the industry reports that trade protectionism seems to be rising. The US continues to implement antidumping measures against China’s furniture exports. Additionally, the recently amended EU rules on ecolabeling of solid wood or wooden furniture is challenging the competitiveness of the industry. Even in the ASEAN market hurdles are being erected say industry. ASEAN domestic furniture manufacturers have been lobbying their governments to delay the implementation of zero tariff agreement in the free trade area, which would undermine China’s furniture export potential.